Member Since: 03 Nov 2019
Location: Bath
Posts: 48
Front N/S Air Strut
Evening all.
I have the orange light and bong, coupled with a bit of front n/s sag overnight over the last week. Have investigated today and can hear and feel air escaping from in between the strut and outer body housing, whilst the front n/s lowers gradually from off road height with the ignition off.
I deduce that the airbag is split inside somewhere and the strut has had its chips and will need replacing - so, is it difficult to do yourself? Do you need any special tools? Does everything re-calibrate itself once the new one is on or is it just best left to my indy?
Additional million-dollar question - do I replace both fronts at the same time or is it ok to just replace the faulty one?
Thoughts, costings and experiences welcome! MTIA 2007 D3 SE - currently having all sorts bolted to it...
Series I 1953 - original, unmolested and well loved
FL1 Diesel - gone - not missed...
FL1 Petrol - gone - some good memories...
Series II - gone but not forgotten
@evolve_4x4
6th Jul 2020 7:09 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4883
There are no special tools required as such, other than a decent torque bar capable of delivering 300 Nm. You will also need a decent socket set, jack etc. If you do not disturb the height sensor recalibration is not required. However, I would recommend you do this anyway as the new strut will sit and ride differently.
It is always advisable to fit strut pairs rather than single units for the reasons stated above, but it is not absolutely necessary. If you have a look at Advance Factors there is a choice of original, OEM, or aftermarket available, there is also a forum discount. yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
I have the orange light and bong, coupled with a bit of front n/s sag overnight over the last week. Have investigated today and can hear and feel air escaping from in between the strut and outer body housing, whilst the front n/s lowers gradually from off road height with the ignition off.
I deduce that the airbag is split inside somewhere and the strut has had its chips and will need replacing - so, is it difficult to do yourself? Do you need any special tools? Does everything re-calibrate itself once the new one is on or is it just best left to my indy?
Additional million-dollar question - do I replace both fronts at the same time or is it ok to just replace the faulty one?
Thoughts, costings and experiences welcome! MTIA
Replace them both sides as you would normal springs & shock absorbersRelocated to Mid France from N. Wales March 2021
Rovacomlite and IDD/ SSD diagnostics user
Previous Landies
3.9 SE Classic
3.5 V8 Disco
4.6 P38 HSE
L322 Vogue HSE
TD4 ES Freelander 1
7th Jul 2020 1:07 pm
Garron
Member Since: 03 Nov 2019
Location: Bath
Posts: 48
Thanks both - at the indy now having both replaced (will keep the good one as a spare) 👍🏼2007 D3 SE - currently having all sorts bolted to it...
Series I 1953 - original, unmolested and well loved
FL1 Diesel - gone - not missed...
FL1 Petrol - gone - some good memories...
Series II - gone but not forgotten
@evolve_4x4
14th Jul 2020 9:34 pm
Garron
Member Since: 03 Nov 2019
Location: Bath
Posts: 48
So I've had both struts renewed (new Dunlop replacing the original Delphi ones) - all good, no alarms etc...
However, I would have expected the feel of the steering to be the same or slightly lighter upon renewing - instead the steering is noticeably heavier when driving. Nothing's loose that I can tell and there's no play in the steering; I am going to check the power steering fluid level tomorrow but has anyone else experienced this? would the tracking need doing after installing new struts? Power steering pump on the way out?
As an aside (and if this is normal due to the Dunlops being slightly different to the Delphi struts) it would have been a bad idea just to replace the faulty N/S one, as it would have unsettled the handling of the car.2007 D3 SE - currently having all sorts bolted to it...
Series I 1953 - original, unmolested and well loved
FL1 Diesel - gone - not missed...
FL1 Petrol - gone - some good memories...
Series II - gone but not forgotten
@evolve_4x4
31st Jul 2020 9:48 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
That's odd. Replacing the strut should have no impact on the steering.
There is no reason why your garage should have touched the steering system or alignment adjustments when replacing the strut assembly. There is no need for a realignment because of this very reason.
I have Dunlops all round on my RRS. The steering is fine.
I think either the garage have touched something they shouldn't have (unlikely, replacing each strut is very straightforward and only 4 nuts to undo) or you have another fault that has coincidentally reared its head at the same time.Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
1st Aug 2020 12:11 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Give it a week or two and some miles, then see what you think.
Checked tyre pressures?
1st Aug 2020 5:37 am
Garron
Member Since: 03 Nov 2019
Location: Bath
Posts: 48
So all levels checked and are ok - tyre pressures checked (36 front on 18’s as per the book). This is just over 1 week after replacement and circa 400 miles on the new ones.
Did a bit of searching and decided to give the lower steering shaft UJ a blast of GT85 - whilst underneath notices that there was evidence of a leak of some sort on the lower wishbone, with residue on the pipes from the fuel cooler (pictures below hopefully). No leak on the drive though, and nothing more after just going for a half hour run. Steering feels slightly better so will add the lower steering shaft to the list (will almost be a new car soon ) but opinion on the fuel cooler / adjacent common leaks welcome - could they have disturbed the pipes when replacing the strut? Looks a bit too far away from the action to me...
2007 D3 SE - currently having all sorts bolted to it...
Series I 1953 - original, unmolested and well loved
FL1 Diesel - gone - not missed...
FL1 Petrol - gone - some good memories...
Series II - gone but not forgotten
@evolve_4x4
1st Aug 2020 2:24 pm
Asa
Member Since: 03 Jul 2016
Location: Essex
Posts: 173
Part of the fun of these is doing some repairs where possible yourself, you some times spot other problems and become aware of the general condition of your car.
Replacing the struts is one of the easier jobs and would have helped you on the journey or enlightenment to ownership!
Its a lot of fun when viewed positively Discovery 3's are a clever bit of kit with principles of longevity strangely reminiscent of Henry Fords vision for the Model T!
If you have the time and the inclination get your hands dirty it is worth it?
1st Aug 2020 3:11 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13854
Hiya
Also wished to add if I may that when I replaced both my front struts I didn’t need to go anywhere near the steering etc
Know when I replaced mine it was like night and day in improvement
Plus noticed , is that a squashed pipe , or hole, have circled it
Hope u get it sorted out and indeed what’s always been mentioned , great satisfaction doing ur own spannering
Indeed should settle down, wonder if they may have undone the bottom wishbone bolt as that would kick ur alignment out , but of course that’s very unlikely they would make that mistake
But of course if in time it doesn’t improve and ur steering checks out fine would be the best course of action to get ur alignment checked
1st Aug 2020 3:44 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
Well spotted, Gary! Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
1st Aug 2020 4:56 pm
Garron
Member Since: 03 Nov 2019
Location: Bath
Posts: 48
gstuart wrote:
Hiya
Also wished to add if I may that when I replaced both my front struts I didn’t need to go anywhere near the steering etc
Know when I replaced mine it was like night and day in improvement
Plus noticed , is that a squashed pipe , or hole, have circled it
Hope u get it sorted out and indeed what’s always been mentioned , great satisfaction doing ur own spannering
Indeed should settle down, wonder if they may have undone the bottom wishbone bolt as that would kick ur alignment out , but of course that’s very unlikely they would make that mistake
But of course if in time it doesn’t improve and ur steering checks out fine would be the best course of action to get ur alignment checked
What you've circled is a drip hanging on the pipe - can't smell any fuel and nothings leaking at the moment.... steering is getting lighter as the GT85 works its way in, although I'll change the lower link at some point.
Haynes manual on the way 2007 D3 SE - currently having all sorts bolted to it...
Series I 1953 - original, unmolested and well loved
FL1 Diesel - gone - not missed...
FL1 Petrol - gone - some good memories...
Series II - gone but not forgotten
@evolve_4x4
1st Aug 2020 5:00 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
What does the liquid smell of? You say it's not fuel, is it oil, coolant etc?Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
1st Aug 2020 5:04 pm
Garron
Member Since: 03 Nov 2019
Location: Bath
Posts: 48
Liquid is clear-ish, tinge of yellowy-brown - consistency is half-way between oil and water. I thought it may be brake fluid as the reservoir is directly above but level is fine and no visible leaks or issues with the brakes (fingers crossed).2007 D3 SE - currently having all sorts bolted to it...
Series I 1953 - original, unmolested and well loved
FL1 Diesel - gone - not missed...
FL1 Petrol - gone - some good memories...
Series II - gone but not forgotten
@evolve_4x4
1st Aug 2020 5:09 pm
knwatkins
Member Since: 19 Sep 2018
Location: Poole, Dorset
Posts: 716
Have the pads been changed recently? If so, when pushing the caliper pistons back in, the reservoir overflowed? Clutching at straws
What's your power steering fluid level like?Kev
MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey
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